You'd think that everything in the beer world is all fun and sips, but legal woes and a rapidly expanding brewery scene is creating a strange problem. One aspect of the beer distribution process is halting output, affecting the rate at which you see bottles on shelves.

You'd think that everything in the beer world is all fun and sips, but legal woes and a rapidly expanding brewery scene is creating a strange problem. One aspect of the beer distribution process is halting ... more

A Brutus beer is poured at the Texian Brewing Co. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, in Richmond. ( J. Patric Schneider / For the Chronicle )

A Brutus beer is poured at the Texian Brewing Co. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, in Richmond. ( J. Patric Schneider / For the Chronicle )

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, File

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No Label's El Hefe Weizen

No Label's El Hefe Weizen

Photo: File

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Jester King's Salt Lick is made with a portion of the pilsner malt that was smoked over pecan wood at Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, Texas.

Jester King's Salt Lick is made with a portion of the pilsner malt that was smoked over pecan wood at Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, Texas.

Photo: File

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Jester King's Black Metal Imperial Stout wins for its labeling and name alone.

Jester King's Black Metal Imperial Stout wins for its labeling and name alone.

Photo: File

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Austin Beerworks' Pearl-Snap is usually drank by people wearing said shirts.

Austin Beerworks' Pearl-Snap is usually drank by people wearing said shirts.

Photo: File

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New Belgium sues Austin craft brewery

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SAN ANTONIO — Can't we all just get along?

One of America's largest craft breweries, Colorado's New Belgium Brewing Co. is suing Austin-based Oasis Brewing Co. for the name of one of its beers. Both breweries have a beer they've named Slow Ride but New Belgium alleges it filed for trademark rights prior to the Oasis brewery.

In a blog post on its website, New Belgium, which started selling its Slow Ride Session IPA last year, states it's not seeking monetary damages.

"We proactively reached out to Oasis, suggesting a number of possible solutions that would allow both brands to exist in the market, but Oasis was not open to working with New Belgium toward a productive solution," the company stated in a blog post on its website.

"Five months after we filed to register the Slow Ride name, Oasis filed for trademark. While we would have preferred to resolve this amicably with Oasis, they are unwilling to work with us and have threatened New Belgium with a lawsuit, thereby compelling us to seek clarification from the court.

"At this time we are only seeking geographical clarification as to our secured trademark. To avoid further conflict, we will release "Slow Ride Session IPA" as "New Belgium Session IPA" in Texas until this issue is resolved."

"Simply put, we started selling our Slow Ride before, we believe, they had any intention of making a product under the same title," the Austin-based company stated in a blog post on its website." Our product hit the market in mid-May, prior to their application for a trademark. Their assertion that brewing activities didn't begin until August is simply untrue."